A new election law, introducing simple proportional representation of the political parties in Parliament, was passed in Parliament early on Friday. The new law will take effect in two elections, as the government failed to reach its goal of gaining 200 votes, which would have meant the law would be enacted from the next general elections.
A total of 281 deputies voted in three rounds (in principle, per article and in total), with 179 voting in favour and 86 against.
The bill passed mainly on the strength of votes of the ruling coalition parties SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL), along with the Centrists’ Union.
Two new provisions of the law include lowering the voting age from 18 years to 17 and abolishing the bonus of 50 seats awarded to the winning party in national elections.
The parties upheld the 3% minimum requirement of the total votes a party needs to enter Parliament.